Mop head construction



Deb. 26, 1.96.7 E. D. SMYTH I M'OP HEAD CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 7, 1963 H mm m v m0 ATTORNEYS De. 26, 1967 E. p. SMYTH 3,360,286

MOP HEAD CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 7, 1963 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ELBERT D. SMYTH ATTORNEYS United States Patent C) 3,360,286 MOP HEAD CONSTRUCTION Elbert D. Smyth, RED. 1, Hebron, Ohio 43025 Filed Aug. 7, 1963, Ser. No. 300,530 Claims. (Cl. 287-14) The present invention relates generally to mop frames and particularly to a universal joint construction for attaching mop handles to mop frames.

In general, the mop frame universal joint of the present invention comprises a base means, a handle attaching portion, and novel adjusting means that functions to vary frictional resistance to pivoting of said handle attaching portion.

In accordance with the present invention, the novel means employed to adjust frictional resistance to pivoting permits the mop to be highly versatile in use.

As another aspect of the present invention, the durable construction of the mop frame universal joint permits long-lasting and efficient use of a mop under the most demanding operational conditions.

As a further aspect of the present invention, a mop frame universal joint so constructed requires a minimum number of component parts which may be manufactured and fabrciated using standard procedures at low cost.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mop frame universal joint having an adjustable pivoting handle attaching portion, capable of eflicient use in a variety of operational conditions, thereby saving the time and effort of the user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mop frame universal joint of durable construction, long life and eflicient operation.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a mop frame universal joint having an adjustable pivoting handle comprising a minimum number of component parts, which may be manufactured and fabricated economically.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mop frame universal joint constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view in partial section of the mop frame universal joint shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view in partial section of the mop frame universal joint shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective View of the component parts of the mop frame shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the assembly of such a mop frame;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the mop frame universal joint shown in FIG. 1 in partial section, taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view in partial section of the mop frame universal joint shown in FIG. 1, taken along the line 66 of FIG. 2.

Referring in detail to the drawings, a mop frame universal joint constructed in accordance with the present invention, is illustrated in FIG. 1 and includes a mop holder indicated generally at 20.

As is best illustrated in FIG. 4, the mop frame universal joint also includes a base means, indicated generally at 22, provided with an upraised portion 24 having a longitudinal bore 26. Referring to FIG. 3, the bore 26 is provided with a tapered inner surface 28.

As is best illustrated in FIG. 2, the mop frame universal joint also includes a handle attaching portion, indicated generally at 30, provided with downwardly extending 3,360,286 Patented Dec. 26, 1967 flanges 32 and 34. Referring to FIG. 4, flanges 32 and 34 have aligned lateral bores indicated generally at 36. Referring again to FIG. 2, flange 34 is provided with a tapered outer surface 38 and an outer cam surface 40.

Refer-ring to FIG. 4, the mop frame also includes an adjusting means comprising a first support member, indicated generally at 58, having an upraised arm portion 59 provided with a transverse hole 60. Transverse hole 60 has a tapered inner surface 65 engaging tapered surface 38 of flange 34. First support member 58 further includes a. shaft portion indicated generally at 61, extending into bore 26 and provided with longitudinal hole 62, a tapered outer surface 63 and key means at 64. The adjusting means further include a second support member, indicated generally at 66, having an upraised arm portion 67 provided with transverse hole 68, a collar portion 69 and a cam surface 57. Collar portion 69 extends into bore 26 and is provided with a longitudinal hole 70 and key means 71 to receive shaft portion 61. The adjusting means still further include cam members 42 and 44 for manual actuation of frictional engagement between tapered surfaces 38 and 65 and 28 and 63. Cam member 44 is provided with a cam surface 54 confronting cam surface 57 and a longitudinal hole 52. Referring to FIG. 5, cam member 42 is provided with cam surface 48 confronting cam surface 40. Cam member 42 is also provided with a transverse hole 46 and a handle 50.

Referring to FIG. 4, the mop frame universal joint further include fastening means comprising threaded fasteners 73 and 74 and nuts 75 and 76. Threaded fastener 73 extends through holes 62, 70, and 52, bore 26 and is secured by nut 75. Threaded fastener 74 extends through holes 46 and 68, aligned lateral bores 36 and is secured by nut 76.

In operation, the normal configuration of the universal joint constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1.

The novel adjusting means employed to adjust frictional resistance to pivoting permits the user to vary the rigidity of the handle attaching portion to meet a variety of operational conditions.

When the user desires to restrict pivoting of the handle attaching portion 30 about the axis of aligned lateral bores 36 of flanges 32 and 34, the cam member 42 should be turned to the right as the user faces that member. This action engages cam surfaces 48 and 40 and results in a locking action between tapered surface 38 of flange 34 and tapered surface 65 of transverse hole 60 as the frictional resistance between the tapered surfaces 38 and 65 is increased.

To permit free pivoting about the axis of aligned bores 36 of flanges 32 and 34, the cam member should be turned in the opposite direction, freeing the respective cam surfaces 48- and 40 and reducing the frictional resistance between the respective tapered surfaces 38 and 65.

When the user desires to restrict pivoting of the handle attaching portion 30 about the axis of longitudinal bore 26 of the base means 22, cam member 44 should be turned to the right as the user faces that member. This action engages cam surface 54 with cam surface 57 on support member 66 and results in a locking action between tapered surface 63 of shaft portion 61 and tapered surface 28 of longitudinal bore 26 as the frictional resistance between the tapered surfaces 63 and 28 is increased.

To permit free pivoting of handle attaching portion 30 about the axis of longitudinal bore 26, cam member 44 should be turned in the opposite direction as above, freeing the respective cam surface 54 and 57, and reducing the frictional resistance between the respective tapered surfaces 63 and 28.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. A universal joint for a mop frame comprising a base means including longitudinal and lateral axes; a handle attaching portion provided with handle receiving means at one end and downwardly extending flange portions having aligned lateral bores and a tapered outer surface at its other end; adjusting means for varying frictional resistance to pivoting of said handle attaching portion about said lateral axis, said adjusting means including a support member having an upraised arm portion provided with a lateral hole having a tapered inner surface frictionally engaging said tapered outer surface on said handle attaching portion, a fastener extended through said lateral bores and lateral hole, and a manual actuating means for varying the frictional engagement between said tapered surfaces; means mounting said support member on said base means for pivotal movement about said longitudinal axis and for varying the frictional resistance of the joint; and fastening means securing said longitudinal means to said base means.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said manual actuating means includes a cam member having a cam surface confronting a mating cam surface provided on said flange portions of said handle attaching portion.

3. A universal joint for a mop frame comprising a base means including longitudinal and lateral axes, said base means including a longitudinal bore provided with a tapered inner surface; a handle attaching portion; adjusting means for varying frictional resistance to pivoting of said handle attaching portion about the axis of said longitudinal bore of said base means, said adjusting means including a first support member having an upraised arm portion and a shaft portion provided with a tapered outer surface frictionally engaging said tapered inner surface, and a second support member having an upraised arm portion and a collar portion provided with a longitudinal hole for receiving said shaft portion of said first member, said adjusting means also including manual actuating means for varying the frictional engagement between said tapered surfaces; and pivot means mounting said handle attaching portion on said upraised arm portions for pivotal movement about a lateral axis.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said manual actuating means includes a cam member having a cam surface confronting a mating cam surface provided on said second support member of said adjusting means.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said shaft portion of said first support member is keyed to a socket provided in said second support member.

6. A universal joint for a mop frame comprising a base means including longitudinal and lateral axes, said base means including a longitudinal bore provided with a tapered inner surface; a handle attaching portion provided with downwardly extending flange portions having aligned lateral bores and a tapered outer surface; adjusting means for varying frictional resistance to longitudinal and lateral pivoting of said handle attaching portion about the axes of said lateral and longitudinal bores, said adjusting means including a first support member having an upraised arm portion provided with a lateral hole having a tapered inner surface frictionally engaging said tapered outer surface on said handle attaching portion and a longitudinal shaft portion having a tapered outer surface frictionally engaging said tapered inner surface of said base means, and a second support member having an upraised arm portion provided with a lateral hole aligned with said bores of said flange portions, a fastener extended through said lateral bores and lateral hole, said second support member also including a collar portion provided with a longitudinal hole for receiving said shaft portion of said first member, said adjusting means also including manual actuating means for varying the frictional engagement between certain of said tapered surfaces; and fastening means securing said adjusting means to said handle attaching portion and said base means.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 6 wherein said manual actuating means includes a cam member provided with a cam surface confronting a cam surface provided on said handle attaching portion.

8. The apparatus defined in claim 6 wherein said manual actuating means includes a cam member provided with a cam surface confronting a cam surface provided on said second support member of said adjusting means.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 6 wherein said manual actuating means includes a first cam member provided with a cam surface confronting a cam surface provided on said handle attaching portion and a second cam member provided with a cam surface confronting a cam surface provided on said second support member of said adjusting means.

10. The apparatus defined in claim 6 wherein said shaft portion of said first support member is keyed to a socket provided on said second support member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 703,499 7/1902 Sturmey 287l00 1,132,348 3/1915 Hunter 287 1,153,986 9/1915 Whitney 287-10O 1,211,347 1/1917 Plofchan 248278 1,409,007 3/1922 Johnston 287-100 2,217,648 10/1940 Bigwood 30616 3,006,668 10/1961 Stewart 15144 3,041,648 7/1962 Gradinger et al. 15l47.0

CARL W. TOMLIN, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Examiner.

A. V. KUNDRAT, D. BLUM, Assistant Examiners. 

1. A UNIVERSAL JOINT FOR A MOP FRAME COMPRISING A BASE MEANS INCLUDING LONGITUDINAL AND LATERAL AXES; A HANDLE ATTACHING PORTION PROVIDED WITH HANDLE RECEIVING MEANS AT ONE END AND DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE PORTIONS HAVING ALIGNED LATERAL BORES AND A TAPERED OUTER SURFACE AT ITS OTHER END; ADJUSTING MEANS FOR VARYING FRICTIONAL RESISTANCE TO PIVOTING OF SAID HANDLE ATTACHING PORTION ABOUT SAID LATERAL AXIS, SAID ADJUSTING MEANS INCLUDING A SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING AN UPRAISED ARM PORTION PROVIDED WITH A LATERAL HOLE HAVING A TAPERED INNER SURFACE FRICTIONALLY ENGAGING SAID TAPERED OUTER SURFACE ON SAID HANDLE ATTACHING PORTION, A FASTENER EXTENDED THROUGH SAID LATERAL BORES AND LATERAL HOLE, AND A MANUAL ACTUATING MEANS FOR VARYING THE FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN SAID TAPERED SURFACES; MEANS MOUNTING SAID SUPPORT MEMBER ON SAID BASE MEANS FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT SAID LONGITUDINAL AXIS AND FOR VARYING THE FRICTIONAL RESISTANCE OF THE JOINT; AND FASTENING MEANS SECURING SAID LONGITUDINAL MEANS TO SAID BASE MEANS. 